For every bride and groom, the wedding marks a highly special, once-in-a-lifetime occasion to shine bright. The splendor becomes even higher for royals, whose wealth and reputation are enough to make their wedding ceremonies the most glamorous and extravagant ones. It makes sense, therefore, that royal fans around the world just want to behold as many beautiful moments of such regal celebrations as possible. From diamond tiaras to fairytale venues, let's look at the most memorable and iconic royal weddings in history.
The most beautiful Royal Weddings throughout history in pictures
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, 2018
Princess Eugenie is the second child of the disgraced Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. The royal, who is now 12th in line to the throne, tied the knot with her long-term partner - brand ambassador Jack Brooksbank in October 2018. Despite being one of the most low-key ceremonies in the royal family, Princess Eugenie's wedding was still resplendent in its own way. In front of relative royals and celebrity guests such as Kate Moss, Demi Moore, Liv Tyler, and Robbie Williams, the groom and the bride, who donned a Peter Pilotto dress, shared a passionate kiss on the West Steps of St George's Chapel.
Letizia Ortiz and Prince Felipe, 2004
Prince Filipe of Spain tied the knot with Letizia Ortiz in 2004 at the Cathedral Santa María in Madrid - marking the first royal wedding in the capital of Spain for more than a century. Prior to claiming her title, Ortiz was a middle-class journalist and news anchor. For her big day, Ortiz donned a spectacular all-white wedding dress from famed designer Manuel Pertegaz. In 2014, Prince Filipe and Ortiz became serving King and Queen of Spain following King Juan Carlos' abdication.
Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill, 2015
On 8 June, 2013, Princess Madeleine of Sweden - who is King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia's youngest child tied the knot with Christopher O'Neill at the Royal Palace chapel in Stockholm. The wedding was televised and watched by the whole country.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, 2018
On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex tied the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony at St Georges Chapel. For the big day, Meghan donned a luxury Givenchy by Clare Waight Keller dress. Their wedding was so beautiful that royal fans dubbed it the 'wedding of the year'.
Prince William and Kate Middleton, 2011
After many years of dating, Prince William married long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in April 2011. For the star-studded ceremony, the bride wore a resplendent Alexander McQueen long-sleeved gown and a stunning diamond tiara. She also wore a big engagement ring, which once belonged to William's late mother, Princess Diana. As one of the most famous royal weddings of all time, William and Kate's big day attracted around 300 million global audiences.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 2020
Being one of the most low-key figures in the Royal Family, Princess Beatrice still had a memorable wedding back in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Princess and property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were wed in an intimate ceremony inside the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge Windsor, with guests including her grandparents the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. For her big day, Princess Eugenie chose a Norman Hartnell, which was once worn by the Queen herself in 1961.
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, 1956
As the longest-ruling monarch in Europe, Prince Rainier III of Monaco was the mastermind behind its economic transformation in the 20th century. After meeting in 1955, the Prince and Academy Award-winning actress Grace Kelly walked down the aisle in April 1956 at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral. For the occasion, the Rear Window actress wore a glamorous Helen Rose wedding dress, which is now regarded as one of the most iconic wedding gowns in history.
Prince Edward And Sophie Rhys-jones, 1999
The Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, tied the knot with public relations consultant Sophie Rhys-Jones at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 19 June 1999. Following their marriage, the royal couple gave birth to two children: James, Viscount Severn, born in 2007, and Lady Louise Windsor, born in 2003.
Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall, 2011
The eldest granddaughter of the Queen and prince Philip, Zara Phillips walked down the aisle with English former rugby union player Mike Tindall on 30 July 2011 - three months after William and Kate's lavish wedding. Their wedding took place at Canongate Kirk in Scotland and was hosted by famous Reverend Neil Gardner.
Caroline de Monaco and Philippe Junot, 1978
Princess Caroline may be known as a royal with three marriages, but certainly, every one of them lived up to its royal status. On 28 June 1978, the Princess wed her first husband, bank financier Philippe Junot in Monte Carlo. After divorcing in 1990, she went on to marry Italian heir Stefano Casiraghi and most recently, her current husband, Prince Ernst August of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick/
Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1960
The Queen's younger sister Princess Margaret walked down the aisle with famous photographer Antony Armstrong Jones in 1960 following an infamous relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend. Their royal wedding, which took place on 6 May at Westminster Abbey, became the first royal wedding ever to be televised. Despite her divorce in 1968, Princess Margaret's wedding is still one of the most beautiful royal weddings of all time.
Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII, 1937
Probably one of the most controversial royals in British history, former King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson still boasted a glamorous and extravagant ceremony at the Château de Candé in 1937. For the big day, Wallis Simpson, who later became the Duchess of Windsor, donned a pale blue wedding dress. Due to Simpson's status as a divorcee with two living ex-husbands, their marriage was scorned by the public, which eventually led to Edward VIII's abdication.
Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly, 2008
Son of Anne, Princess Royal, and grandson of The Queen, Prince Phillips married his wife Autumn Kelly, a management consultant, in an intimate ceremony at St George's on 17 May 2008. Unfortunately, the royal couple divorced in 2021, sharing two children.
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, 2005
After his first marriage to Princess Diana, who died in a tragic car accident in 1997, Prince Charles went on to tie the knot for the second time with Camilla Parker Bowles. The royal couple walked down the aisle in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall in 2005, where Camilla donned a Robinson Valentine silk dress. Their marriage marked the first and only time a member of the royal family wed in a civil rather than a church ceremony in England.
Marie-Chantal Miller and Paul of Greece, 1995
Crown Prince Paul of Greece married American heiress Marie-Chantal Miller at St Sophia's Cathedral in 1967. The Greek royal wedding was hosted by the bride's billionaire father Robert Warren Miller, and reportedly cost a whopping amount of $1.5 million. After their marriage, the couple took up residence in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The Queen and Prince Philip, 1947
Then-Princess Elizabeth married her boyfriend, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. For the occasion, the young future Queen donned a splendid Norman Hartnell gown, complete with her grandmother's tiara, the Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara. Five years after their marriage, Elizabeth became Queen of England, and Philip became the Duke of Edinburgh. Their marriage lasted 73 years until Philip's passing away last year.
Queen Noor and King Hussein of Jordan
Queen Noor (born Lisa Najeeb Halaby) married King Hussein of Jordan on June 15, 1978 in a traditional Muslim ceremony, where she looked splendid in a Christian Dior wedding dress. After the marriage, she would remain Queen of Jordan until the King's death in 1999.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana, 1981
Prince Charles' first marriage was in 1981 when he tied the knot with Princess Diana in a fairytale wedding at St. Paul's Cathedral. As one of the most glamorous royal weddings, it was attended by heads of state all over the world. For her big day, Diana wore a David and Elizabeth Emmanuel silk taffeta and lace gown complete with a 25-foot train. Instead of wearing a tiara from the Queen, Diana chose her family heirloom, the Spencer Tiara.
Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert of Monaco, 2011
Charlene Wittstock was a successful swimming champion, having represented South Africa in international swimming competitions. The Olympic medalist met Albert II, the reigning Prince of Monaco at a swimming competition in 2000 before marrying him on 1 July 2011 in the Throne Room of the Prince's Palace. The lavish wedding saw the bride wear a splendid Armani haute couture off-the-shoulder wedding gown.